Coming off their Cullen Cup win earlier in the month 鈥� a second consecutive achievement for the team 鈥� the 黑马磁力 Rams now face the Saskatoon Hilltops in the Canadian Junior Football League鈥檚 (CJFL) National Championship.
The Rams host the Hilltops at McLeod Athletic Park Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, which will be the fourth time they鈥檝e faced off against that team in the championships; the Rams have yet to earn a victory against the Saskatoon.
Despite the history between the two football teams, Rams player Andrew Pocrnic said he鈥檚 eager to be part of a championship game.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long time coming for me, so maybe that鈥檚 where the little bit of eagerness is coming from. You got to seize the opportunity,鈥� Pocrnic said.
Township Mayor Jack Froese, who will facilitate the game鈥檚 coin toss on Saturday, was on hand to welcome Saskatoon to 黑马磁力 at a Friday afternoon press conference.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited to have them here in the township 鈥� 黑马磁力鈥檚 a sports town, and we鈥檙e happy to have the oldest football championship in Canada taking place here,鈥� Froese said.
Read More: Second consecutive Cullen Cup for 黑马磁力 Rams
This is the 112th Canadian Bowl, which has gone under multiple names such as the Armadale Cup and Leader Post trophy.
The Rams have failed to capture the top title while the Hilltops have earned all but one championship title this decade alone.
Head coach and general manager Howie Zaron said those stats aren鈥檛 a deterrent, nor is the rainy weekend forecast.
鈥淲e love the rain 鈥� the rain鈥檚 our friend,鈥� Zaron laughed. 鈥淲e鈥檝e put in a couple hard weeks of work and a lot of preparation for the Hilltops, so we鈥檙e up to the challenge and looking forward to it.鈥�
Pocrnic, who is in his third CJFL season 鈥� the previous two were spent with the Kamloops Broncos 鈥� comes from Saskatoon; a fact for him that makes the opportunity all the more interesting.
鈥淚 grew up is Sask, so I鈥檝e played a lot of these guys growing up 鈥� high school football鈥� community football鈥� so I know a lot of them,鈥� Pocrnic said.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. at McLeod Athletic Park Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16.
_________________________________
Is there more to this story?
Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on or follow us on
_________________________________
